Episode Summary
Disillusioned with the police force, Liu Zhendong publicly quits after being provoked by Steven. He immediately intervenes in a situation involving an exploited woman, invoking the Shanhai Gang's name. Liu Zhendong then formally joins the Shanhai Gang, starting as a low-level member under She Yan, though his return causes friction among some members who plot against him. She Yan fiercely defends Liu Zhendong's place in the gang. Meanwhile, Cheng Hui, seeking advice from Boss He, decides to reform the gang into a legitimate transportation company, inspired by the potential influence of rickshaw pullers. Liu Zhendong quickly proves useful by defusing a police confrontation involving the gang's rickshaw operators, diverting the police towards the rival Shanding Zai gang.
Spoiler Alert
Contenders: Episode 6 Recap & Spoilers
Alright, so after all the chaos and curveballs thrown his way, Liu Zhendong has hit his breaking point with the whole police gig. He's feeling totally disillusioned, realizing he's basically just been a pawn for the foreign authorities (the 'yang ren'), burning with a passion he can't even use meaningfully. The situation hits peak frustration when Steven, clearly trying to mess with him, demands he gather evidence that the Shanhai Gang (Shanhai Gang) is plotting to disturb the peace. Liu Zhendong just can't take it anymore. In a pretty dramatic move, right in front of everyone, he strips off his police uniform and quits. Done. Finished. Out.
Honestly, leaving the force seems to lift a huge weight off his shoulders. Almost immediately, walking down the street, he passes one of those shady establishments (looks like a brothel) and sees a woman with bruises all over her arm – clearly being forced to work. Even without the badge, Liu Zhendong steps in. He lays down the law with the madam, warning her that if she keeps exploiting people, especially folks from their own hometown ('tong xiang'), the Shanhai Gang will absolutely step in and handle things.
His next move? Straight to the Shanhai Gang headquarters. He kneels before the elders ('shu bo'), formally asking Cheng Hui to take him in. Now, letting an ex-cop into the fold isn't exactly a unanimous decision among the old guard. There's definitely some back-and-forth. But Cheng Hui makes the call: Liu Zhendong can join, but he's starting right at the bottom, as a basic foot soldier ('ma zai'), reporting directly to She Yan (you might know him better as Snake Eye).
However, his return isn't exactly met with open arms by everyone. Some of the rank-and-file members look down on him, seeing him as just some spoiled rich kid ('wanku zidi') who couldn't cut it. They even start scheming behind his back, planning to stick him in territory dangerously close to the rival Shanding Zai gang (let's call them the Mountaintop Boys), hoping Wu A'nan's crew will do their dirty work and take Liu Zhendong out.
Word gets back to She Yan that people are calling Liu Zhendong "trash" ('laji'). Oh, She Yan is not having it. He immediately orders the guys running their mouths to be taught a very painful lesson. He publicly declares that Liu Zhendong was born Shanhai Gang, and if anyone dares to scheme against him, they'll force She Yan to get nasty. Message received, loud and clear.
Meanwhile, Cheng Hui, accompanied by Lian Liu Liu, goes to visit the influential Boss He (He Laoban). They catch up, talk about old times, but Cheng Hui is really there seeking guidance. He's kind of stuck, unsure how to really push the Shanhai Gang forward. Boss He gives him some food for thought: don't underestimate the rickshaw business. Those seemingly lowly rickshaw pullers? They might represent an undercurrent strong enough to change the whole game.
This advice really clicks with Cheng Hui. He decides it's time for a major overhaul. The plan? Reform the Shanhai Gang into the "Shanhai Company" and go legit, focusing on the transportation business. He figures if they put in the hard work doing honest business, they're bound to grow bigger and better.
As fate would have it, on their way back, Cheng Hui sees the police, led by none other than Gou Wendao, enforcing new government regulations limiting rickshaws on the streets. It looks like trouble for the Shanhai Gang's rickshaw pullers, but guess who steps in? Liu Zhendong! He manages to de-escalate the situation and get the cops off the Shanhai guys' backs. Gou Wendao and his officers then decide to pivot and go hassle the Mountaintop Boys in their territory instead. Talk about timing!
So, there you have it. Liu Zhendong is officially out of the police force and in with the Shanhai Gang, though he's already got enemies within. Cheng Hui's got ambitious plans for legitimacy, sparked by some wise words about rickshaws, and Liu Zhendong is already proving his worth (and maybe his loyalty?) to his old/new crew. Things are definitely shifting gears!
